Class I. GOAT. 45 



In the army it covers the horseman's arms, and 

 carries the foot-soldier's provisions. As it takes 

 a dye better than any other skin, it was formerly 

 much used for hangings in the houses of people 

 of fortune, being susceptible of the richest 

 colors ; and when flowered and ornamented with 

 gold and silver, became an elegant and superb 

 article of furniture. 



The flesh is of great use to the inhabi- 

 tants of the country w^here it resides ; and af- ' , 

 fords a cheap and plentiful provision in the 

 winter months, w^hen the kids arc brought to 

 market. The haunches of the goat are fre- 

 quently salted and dried, and supply all the 

 uses of bacon ; this by the natives is called 

 Cdch yr wden, or hung venison. The meat of 

 a castrated goat of six or seven years old, 

 (which is called Hyfr) is reckoned the best; ■ 

 being generally very sweet and fat. This makes 

 an excellent pasty, goes under the name of 

 rock venison, and is little inferior to that of the 

 deer. Thus nature provides even on the tops 

 of high and craggy mountains, not only necessa- 

 ries, but delicacies for the inhabitants. 



The milk of the goat is sweet, nourishing and 



very probably was the Angora goat, which is only found in the 



East, and whose soft and silky hair supplied a most luxurious , 



couch. Vide Hist. quad. ^. (5\. ,- ... 



